TECHNICAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2116, 26 June 1907, Page 2

TECHNICAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE

A mooting of tlio Technical School Committoo was held last night. Present:—Messrs. Somorvoll (chairman),

Rev. Grant, and W. Morgan (secretary). An apology was received from tho Rev. Griffin.

GIRLS’ CLASSES. One outside school desired, tho secrutary stated, to send tho girls only; to the dressmaking class, and not to the oookorv cluss. He had pointed out that tlio committoo objected, as a general principle, to this practice. 'J’he feeling of the committee was that girls from outside schools should attend both classes, or none at all. They had to take this view from financial considerations. Attendance at tho cookory classes should bo en'couragod, for the subsidy was 15s per pupil, as compared with onlv 5s for dressmaking pupils. _ Th e Education Board should look into this matter when revising tho regulations.—The committoo agreed to represent this to the Board.

By request a list of pupils from the various schools was read. Tho Rev. Grant admitted that the representation _ was fair all round, and that the time-tablo could not bo improved upon. COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE. The Hawke’s Bay Education Board notified the following resolution passed by the Board:—“That, taking into consideration tho facilities now given to school children and tho large expenditure of Government moneys for technical education at tho larger contres of the education district, it be an instruction to head teachers and chairmen of school committees throughout tho district that, where travelling facilities permit, children in tho Standards qualified according to the regulations to attend technical classes and attending schools within 20 miles of a technical school with established classes in wood-work, horticulture, agriculture, cookery, or dressmaking aro expected by the Education Board to attend ono or more of such classes suitable to their sex.”. This resolution had been submitted by the Board to tho Education Department. A copy of the InspectorGeneral’s reply was appended, as follows:—“In reply to your letter dated February 12, bringing under notice of the Department a resolution passed by tho Board, and asking whether the Board has power to. compel children to attend classes for manual, and technical education, I

have to say that the view of tho Department is that manual instruction is ono of the subjects of instruction referred to in sub-section 9 of section

R 35 of the Education Act, 1904 (see also section 170 of the same Act), that shall be taught to a child at the Public school attended by him. In the present instance, however, the classes referred to appear to be held at centres, in which case the provisions of section 142 of the Act would require to be taken into-account. I would mention, in conclusion, that, as tho Board is aware, it is not the custom of the Department to give rulings involving the interpretation of the Act.” This letter was greeted with laughter on the- part of the committee. “IVliat is the Department for but to administer the Act?” asked a member. “They will not give an interpretation, but expect us to,” remarked the chairman.

The secretary said. This was an important matter. If pupils did not attend the manual and technical classes they must get a certificate of exemption, the same as if attending ordinary school. The Chairman read section 142 referred to. It states that the head teacher of a school may obtain a general certificate of exemption for his pupils, provided he satisfies the' controlling authority that efficient instruction on these subjects is being given at his school. f Members considered that, to comply with the Act, schools in this district must send the senior scholars to attend the Technical School. Tho Rev. Grant said that this provision was not generally "known. The secretary thought Press notification might do some good. . The Rev. Grant asked whether this school was not already overcrowded. The secretary had said they could not take in any more pupils for woodwork, although the boys were anxious to come. The secretary replied that only the wood-work class was overcrowded, or would be with 14 more pupils. He had offered to take in half tlie Te Karaka class one day and half another day each-week, but tli e local teacher was not agreeable to that arrangement. With regard to the girls the teacher said he could not coax or drive the girls to the cooking class. The Rev. Grant: It is a wonder the girls don’t like the class. I should have thought they would like to attend. Mr. Morgan : Oh, they like it very well. It is the fault of the mothers. They like to see something for the work: from the dressmaking class the girls bring home garments. The Chairman : There is nothing to show for the cookery class; it is all eaten. (Laughter.) The matter of beating up attendances was left to tlio secretary. NEW CLASSES.

The secretary reported that in accordance with instructions he had advertised for pupils for special classes. Ono came forward, who wanted mechanical drawing.- Thera were a few persons desirous of joining an art class, but they wanted to know first who would be the instructor. He had told them that until there were t a sufficient number of pupils it was impossible to appoint the instructor. Approved. Th o Secretary: I have been asked if the committee will establish a class for vocal music. It is in accordance with the regulations. The Rev. Grant humorously said ther 0 was plenty of room for such a The Chairman confided that when he was young he was quite an enthusiast at music, although members might riot boliove him now. 1 (LaughTlio secretary said that Mr. Sidebottom, when questioned, had expressed his willingness to take charge of a Tho Rev. Grant: The committee is not very large, but so far as it goes you have us with you. I think- you can’t go wrong in trying it. Formation of class approved. MISCELLANEOUS. Outward correspondence included several letters drawing attention to non-attendance of pupils, and a complaint regarding the irregular use of a free railway pass. , The secretary stated that it had been impossible to arrange for the Te Karaka bovs to attend the wood-work

classes. There were 14 boys, whilst accommodation was only available for six, and the suggestion that half the class should come in one day and tho balance another day was not entertained by the Karaka teacher. — Matter deferred. The committee agreed that the exhibits returned from Christchurch should be presented to the hoys responsible for tho work, as they wer 0 anxious to show their handiwork at home. Mr. J. S. IVauchop, who is proceeding to Makauri, resigned his position as instructor of the class in English.—The appointment of Mr. D Cowan was confirmed, and his name submitted to tho Department for approval. Mrs. T. H. Wood, of Lowc : street, inquired if there was an opening for an instructor in elocution. —"When credentials are forwarded the committee will consider tlie matter of forming an elocution class. Miss L. Wilcox's appointment as shorthand teacher was * approved by tho Department. Tho Education Board approved of Miss Lousley acting as instructor in cookery until July 10.